Stopper rod rigging for ladles



A. TEPLITZ March 21, 1967 STOPPER ROD RIGGING FOR LADLES 6 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed April 21, 1964 INVENTOR.

A L F R E D T E P L l T Z BY Swim/9% ATTORNEY March 21, 1967 A. TEPLITZSTOPPER ROD RIGGING FOR LADLES 6 Sheets-$heet 2 Filed April 21, 1964March 21,1967 A. TEPLITZ STOPPER ROD RIGGING FOR LADLES 6 Sheets-Sheet 3Filed April 21, 1964 INVENTOR.

Z T a V1 H V E E m D W A E R F L A 7 March 21, 1967 A. TEPLQTZ STOFPERROD RIGGING FOR LADLES 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed. April 21, 1964 INVENTOR.

A L F R E D T E P L I TZ BY M)6$x%u ATTORNEY March 21, 1967 A. TEPLITZ 33@9,?4

STOPPER ROD RIGGING FOR LADLES Filed April 21, 1964 6 Sheets-5heet 5WHIHHE Fla INVENTOR.

' ALFRED TEPLITZ ATTORNEY March 21, 1967 A. TEPLlTZ 3,3@9 74@ STOPPERROD RIGGING FOR LADLES Filed April 21, 1964 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 28OINVENTOR.

= ALFRED TEPLITZ ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,309,740 STGPPER R91)PJGGING FOR LADLES Alfred Teplitz, Pittsburgh, la., assignor to UnitedStates Steel Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 21, 1964,Ser. No. 361,391 7 Claims. (Cl. 22-85) This invention relates to bottompour ladies for the pouring of molten steel and the like, andparticularly to a bottom pour ladle having a novel stopper rod riggingwhich is especially adapted for use in the continuous casting of steel.

The conventional bottom pour ladle comprises a steel refractory linedvessel having a nozzle in the bottom and a stopper rod for opening andclosing the nozzle. The stopper rod may be controlled either manually orby an electrically actuated hydraulic cylinder such as that described inCarleton Patent No. 2,832,110.

Bottom pour ladies have been used heretofore primarily in pouring moltensteel into conventional ingot molds. The stopper rod wasrequiredprimarily for onoff operation, and precise control of its position wasnot necessary. Continuous casting of steel, on the other hand, requiresprecise control of the rate of flow of molten metal from the ladle so asto maintain the desired molten metal level in the mold.

Presently known ladle stopper rod mechanisms do not make sufficientlyprecise control possible. Manually operated stopper rods cannot becontrolled precisely because of the great physical effort necessary tomove them. Both manually and hydraulically operated stopper rod riggingsheretofore known have relatively slender mechanisms which tend todeflect under load. The rigging is generally so constructed as to permitlost motion between the parts. Stopper rod riggings heretofore knownhave been constructed so that the reciprocable elements of the riggingare prone to stick in the framework in which they move, causingirregular operation. A still further disadvantage of presently knownapparatus is that a substantial portion of the hydraulic actuatingmechanism is located on a fixed platform and connected to the hydrauliccylinder on the ladle by flexible hose connections of substantiallength. Hydraulic systems having such hose connections tend to be spongyand slow, and therefore not precise, in their operation.

It is an object of this invention to provide a bottom pour ladle havinga self-contained hydraulic system which includes a cylinder for controlof the stopper rod, a power source, and a fluid reservoir for thehydraulic system both mounted on the ladle itself.

A further object of this invention is to provide a stopper rod riggingfor a bottom pour ladle which is rugged, rigid, simple and reliable andwhich precisely controls the motions of the stopper rod.

These and other objects will be apparent from the specification whichfollows.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a ladle having the novel stopperrod rigging and actuation system therefor according to this invention.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. '1.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the hydraulic control system andelectrical system for controlling the movements of the stopper rod ofthe ladle in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of a ladle and stopper rod riggingaccording to a modified form of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 1010 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a top elevational View, shown partly in section along line11-11 of FIG. 7.

Referring now to FIG. 1, 20 indicates a refractory lined bottom pourladle having a nozzle 22 in the bottom and a stopper rod riggingincluding a vertically reciprocable stopper rod 24 and cross bar 26 forcontrolling the flow of molten metal through the nozzle. Movements ofthe stopper rod are controlled in normal operation by hydraulic motor28, which is operated by an electrically powered hydraulic pump andcontrol system indicated generally at 30. An auxiliary manually operatedhydraulic pump and control system 32 is provided for use in emergency,particularly in case of power failure. A manually operated lockingmechanism indicated generally at 34 is used to lock the stopper rod inthe shut position while the ladle is being filled with molten metal andtransported to the location where the metal is to be poured, Thehydraulic motor 28, pump and control system 30, auxiliary pump andcontrol system 32, and locking mechanism 34 are all supported on agenerally vertically extending supporting structure" 36 which is rigidlysecured to the exterior of the ladle.

Ladle 20 may be of conventional construction including a steel shellhaving a refractory inner lining. The stopper rod 24 preferablycomprises a metal rod 40 surrounded by a refractory sleeve 42 which mayconveniently be made in sections. A suitable stopper rod is shown anddescribed in United States Patent No. 2,832,110. The upper end of metalrod 40 is screw threaded. V

Cross bar 26 and stopper rod 24 are joined together by a joint indicatedgenerally at 43, which permitsprecise positioning of stopper rod 24 overnozzle 22 and at the same time prevents angular movement of stopper rod24 relative to cross bar 26. This joint also permits easy replacement ofstopper rod 24. Joint 43 includes a cylindrical sleeve 44, splitbushings 46' and 48-, and the upper end of metal rod 40. Sleeve 44 isintegrally attached to cross bar 26. Bushing 45, which fits insidesleeve 44, is flanged at its upper end, and has an eccentric bore forreceiving split bushing 48, which also is flanged at its upper end andhas an eccentric bore for receiving the upper end of metal rod 4!). Awasher 50 is placed beneath sleeve 44 and bushings 46 and 48, and nuts52 and 54 on metal rod 40 engage washer 50 and the flange on bushing 48respectively to provide a tight assembly joining cross bar 26 andstopper rod 24. Bushings 46 and 48 are split to facilitate their removaland replacement.

It is normally necessary to replace the stopper rod 24 after each use.To replace the stopper rod, cross bar 26 is first raised to itsuppermost position, which can be done manually as will be hereinafterdescribed. Nut 54, bushing 48 and bushing 46 are removed in that order.Metal rod 40 is then moved laterally through the slot in sleeve 44, andthe old stopper rod 42 is lifted out of place. The reverse procedure isfollowed in installing the new stopper rod. Nut 52 and washer 50 areplaced on the new rod. Metal rod 40 at the upper end of the new stopperrod is then passed through the slot in sleeve 44. Bushings 40 and 48 inthat order are put in place, and are then rotated so as to position thestopper rod 42 precisely over nozzle 22. Last of all, nut 54 is put inplace and tightened.

The generally vertically extending supporting structure 36 includes agenerally vertically extending box-like frame 56 terminating at itsupper end in a horizontally extending section 58 which includes ahorizontal platform 60 and terminating at its lower end in a horizontalplatform 61. A portion of the outer side wall of frame 56 is cut away topermit access to the manually operated locking mechanism 34. Supportingstructure 36 is rigidly secured to ladle by means of a pair of brackets62 mounted on the ladle, brackets 64 mounted on the vertically extendingframe 56 of the supporting structure 36, and a pair of pins 66 securingthe brackets 62 and 64 together.

A pair of guide rods 67 projecting upwardly from platform 60 guide themovements of cross bar 26, permitting free vertical movement whilepreventing lateral shifting. These guide rods 67 slide in bearings 68,Which are held in place by cylindrical bearing housings 69.

Hydraulic motor 28 is located between the fixed supporting structure 36and cross bar 26, and has a pair of relatively movable partsinterconnecting these two. In the illustrated embodiment, hydraulicmotor 28 is a conventional double acting cylinder having a piston 70shown diagrammatically in FIG. 6 and a piston rod 72 extendingexternally in one direction. The hydraulic cylinder 28 includes a pairof fluid ports 74 and 76 at the bottom and the top respectively foradmitting fluid under pressure to either end of the cylinder on oppositesides of piston 70. Admission of fluid under pressure to cylinder 28 viafluid port 74 raises cross bar 26 and stopper rod 24. Conversely,admission of fluid under pressure via port 76 lowers cross bar 26 andstopper rod 24. Cylinder 28 is supported on platform 60 and the pistonrod 72 is attached to cross bar 26.

The hydraulic pump and control system is supported on platform 61 of thefixed supporting structure 36. This hydraulic pump and control system,which is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 6, includes a fluid reservoir78, a conduit 80 having strainer 82 therein and leading from reservoir78 to a fixed volume displacement pump 84 which is driven by electricmotor 86. Electric motor 86 is remotely controlled from a push buttoncontrol panel 88 which includes start and stop buttons 88a and 88brespectively and an indicator light 880 to indicate when the motor isfunctioning. The start button 88a is pressed to start up hydrauliccontrol system 30 when pouring of metal is about to begin. When pouringis completed, the stop button 88b is pushed to shut off hydrauliccontrol system 30. Fluid flows under pressure from the outlet side offixed volume displacement pump 84 through conduit 90 which has a filter92 and a check valve 94 therein.

High pressure fluid from conduit 90 may be supplied either to high speedactuating system 96 or low speed actuating system 98. High speed system96 is used for raising and lowering the stopper rod 24 at high speedsand generally through relatively large distances, while the low speedoperating system 98 is used for lower speed operation and hence moreprecise control of the stopper rod.

The high speed actuation system 96 includes a high pressure fluidconduit 100, a pair of conduits 102 and 104 leading to the inlet ports74 and 76 respectively of hydraulic cylinder 28, a return conduit 106which leads back to reservoir 78, and a four-way three-position solenoidoperated valve 108 for selectively controlling the admission of highpressure fluid from conduit 100 to conduits 102, 104 and 106. Valve 108is a reciprocating valve which includes a pair of solenoids 110 and 112for causing reciprocation of the valve, and a pair of compressionsprings 114 and 116 for returning the valve to a neutral position whenneither solenoid is energized. Energization of solenoid 110 moves valve108 to the left so as to place high pressure conduit 100 incommunication with conduit 102 and thereby raise piston 70 and move thestopper rod 24 upwardly. Conversely, energization of solenoid 112 movesvalve 108 to the left, placing high pressure conduit in communicationwith conduit 104, moving piston 70 and stopper rod 24 downwardly towardthe closed position. When neither solenoid is energized, compressionsprings 114 and 116 return valve 108 to its neutral position which isshown in FIG. 6, in which position high pressure fluid in conduit 100 isreturned via conduit 106 to reservoir 78 and the pressures on eitherside of piston 70 in cylinder 28 are equal. When the hydraulic cylinderis in such a state the stopper rod 24 remains in its previously setposition.

Low speed actuating system 98 includes high pressure conduit 120 whichmay supply fluid under pressure selectively to conduit 122 leading tothe lower inlet port 74 of hydraulic cylinder 28, conduit 124 leading tothe upper inlet 76 of cylinder 28, and return conduit 126 which leadsback to reservoir 78. This system also includes a four-waythree-position valve 128 which is identical to valve 108. This valve 128includes a pair of solenoids 130 and 132 and a pair of compressionsprings 134 and 136. Energizat-ion of solenoid 130 moves valve 128 tothe left to admit fluid under pressure to conduit 122 and thereby raisepiston 70 and stopper rod 24. Conversely, energization of solenoid 132moves valve 128 to the right to admit high pressure fluid from conduit120 to conduit 124 and thereby raise piston 70 and stopper rod 24. Whenneither solenoid is energized, springs 134 and 136 return valve 128 toits central position as shown in FIG. 6, in which position high pressurefluid from conduit 120 is returned via conduit 126 to reservoir 78,establishing equal pressure on either side of piston 70 and retainingthe stopper rod 24 in its previously set position.

Conduits 122 and 124 have temperature and pressure compensated variableorifice flow control valves 137 and 138 respectively therein. Thesevalves reduce the rate of hydraulic fluid fiow into cylinder 28 and thuspermit close control of the piston speed. Valves of this type aredisclosed in Vickers Hydraulic N0. 5001C, page c1, published by Vickers,Inc., Detroit, Mich. Valves 137 and 138 have variable orifices 139 and140 respectively which have uniform flow rates over wide ranges ofpressure temperature and fluid viscosity. Valves 137 and 138 have return lines 141 and 142 respectively which have check valves 143 and 144respectively therein, permitting flow of fluid from the cylinder 28toward four-Way valve 128 and preventing flow in the opposite direction.

Valves 108 and 128 are electrically operated from a control panel 145 ata remote location. Control panel 145 comprises four push buttons 145a,145b, 145c and 145d, connected to one of the solenoids 110, 112, 130 and132 respectively so as to permit raising or lowering of the stopper rodat either high or low speed as desired. Control panel 145 may also beprovided with an emergency stop button 145e for interrupting current tothe entire system.

Instead of operating the hydraulic control system 30 manually asdescribed above, the system may be operated automatically in response tothe molten metal level in the mold to control the movements of stopperrod 24. A suitable automatic control system is described in thecopending patent of John R. T iskus et al. No. 3,300,820, entitled,System for Controlling the Liquid Level in a Continuous Casting Mold orthe Like. The automatic control system described in the Tiskus et al.application may be used to control the movements of either solenoidoperated valve 108 or solenoid operated valve 128. A switch 145 oncontrol panel 145 permits switching from manual to automatic operation.

An auxiliary control system indicated generally at 32 is provided foruse in the event of power failure and for positioning a newly installedstopper rod. This auxiliary system comprises a fluid reservor 146, amanually operated fixed volume displacement pump 147 (shown in FIG. 6)having handle 148 for pumping of hydraulic fluid, a pump outlet conduit150, and a hand operated four-way three-position valve 151 which placeshigh pressure fluid 0n conduit 150 on the outlet side of pump 146selectively in communication with conduit 152 leading to the top inletport 74 of hydraulic cylinder 28, conduit 154 which leads to the inletport 76 at the lower end of cylinder 28, andreturn conduit 156 whichleads back to reservoir 144. The auxiliary control system 32 alsoincludes a normally open solenoid operated valve 160 which blockscommunication between conduits 152 and 154 and the hydraulic cylinder 28as long as the solenoid is energized, and which closes to permit suchcommunication in the event of power failure. An electrical connectionbetween control panel 88 and valve 160 is provided so that starting ofelectric motor 86 energizes solenoid valve 168 so as to blockcommunication between auxiliary control system 32 and cylinder 28.

A relief valve 162 having an outlet line 164 which leads back toreservoir 78 prevents an excessive pressure build-up in the system.

Locking mechanism 34, which is used to hold the stopper rod 24 inposition closing nozzle 22 while molten metal is poured into ladle 20and while the ladle is being transported from the furnace to theposition of use, includes a rod 179 having a turnbuckle 172 foradjustment of its length, and a manually operated handle 174 for movingthe rod 170. Manually operated handle 174 is pivotally mounted on pivotpin 176 which is journaled in supporting structure 36, and is pivotallyconnected to rod 170 by shaft 178. Limit stop 180 limits thecounterclockwise movement of handle 174. Upward movement of the handle174 to the dotted line position of FIG. 1 unlocks the locking mechanism34 to permit movement of stopper rod 24 by hydraulic cylinder 28. Themechanism as shown in FIG. 1 is in the locked position.

The locking mechanism 34 can also be used for manual operation ofstopper rod 2-!- in the event of power failure or other emer ency.However, it is desirable to substitute a structurally strong member suchas an I-beam or channel section for rod 17% if the locking mechanism 34is to be so used. Manually operated control system 32 and solenoidoperated valve 16% associated therewith can be eliminated it lockingsystem 34 is to be used for emergency operation of the stopper rod.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 to 10 and especially to FIG. 7, 220 indicates arefractory lined bottom pour ladle having a nozzle 222 in the bottom anda stopper rod rigging including a vertically reciprocable stopper rod224 and a cross bar 225 for controlling the flow of molten metal throughthe nozzle. Movements of the stopper rod are controlled in normaloperation by h;- draulic motor 228, which is operated by an electricallypowered hydraulic pump and control system indicated generally at 230. Amanually operated locking mechanism indicated generally at 234 is usedto lock the stopper rod in the shut position while the ladle is beingfilled with molten metal and transported to the location where the metalis to be poured. Locking mechanism 234 also serves as a manual systemfor controlling the movements of stopper rod 224 and cross bar 226 incase of emergency, and particularly in the event of power failure. Thehydraulic cylinder 2Z8, pump and control system 238, and lockingmechanism 234 are all supported on a generally vertically extendingsupporting structure 236 which is rigidly secured to the exterior of theladle.

Ladle 220 may be of conventional construction including a steel shellhaving a refractory inner lining. Stopper rod 220 comprises a metal rod241) surrounded by refractory sleeve 242 which may conveniently be madein sections. Stopper rod 224 is joined to cross bar 226 by means of ajoint 243 which includes cylindrical sleeve 244 integral with arm 226, aflanged split bushing 246 inside sleeve 2&4 and having an eccentric borefor a second flanged split bushing 248, which has an eccentric bore forreceiving the upper end of metal rod 246, and washer 250 which underliessleeve 244 and bushings 246 and 248. The joint is held in place by nuts252 and 254.

I ass and 288a.

6 It will be noted that the aforesaid joint 243 bet-ween stopper rod 224and cross bar 226, as well as ladle 220 and stopper rod 224, are hereinillustrated as identical to their counterparts in the embodiment of FIG.1.

The generally verticallly extending supporting structure 236 comprises avertically extending three-sided frame which terminates at its lower endin a horizontally extending platform 261. This frame is open along theside remote from ladle 220 to permit ready access to the manuallyoperated mechanism 234. Supporting structure 236 is rigidly secured toladle 220 by means of a pair of brackets 26-2 mounted on the ladle,brackets 26-;- mounted on supporting structure 236, and a pair of pins266 securing the brackets 26-2 and 264 together.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the mechanism for controlling the movements ofcross bar 226 and stopper rod 224 will be shown in detail. Hydrauliccylinder 228, which is a conventional double acting cylinder, is securedto supporting structure 236 by bracket 271 and has a verticallyreciprocable piston having piston rod 272 extending exteriorly in onedirection and secured to cross bar 226. The cylinder may be attached tocross bar 226 and the piston rod 272 to supporting structure 236 isdesired.

The movements of hydraulic cylinder 223 during formal operation arecontrolled by a hydraulic pump and control system 230, which isidentical to the hydraulic pump and control system 30 illustrated inFIG. 6 except for the omission of the auxiliary manually operated system32 and solenoid operated valve 16%. These parts may be included,however, in which case locking mecha-' nism 234 is used only to lockstopper rod 224 shut and is not used to operate the stopper rod manuallyin case of emergency.

Locking mechanism 234 includes a pair of hollow rods 230 and 288a, across bar 232 connecting rods 2 81) and 280a, a vertically depending rod284 pivotally connected to cross bar 282 by pivot pin 285, and a lever236 for manual operation of the locking mechanism. Rods 280 and 280::are guided in their reciprocatory movement by guide sleeves 238 and 238arespectively. Sleeve 28-8 is fixedly mounted on supporting structure 236by brackets 2880. Sleeve 2830 is pivotally mounted on supportingstructure 236 by a pair of rings 288d which are connected by pins tolugs 288a welded to support 236. This arrangement allows for unequalthermal expansion of the several parts of the assembly and thus preventsbinding of guide rods 280 and 2813a in sleeves At the same time themounting of locking mechanism 234 is essentially rigid. Sleeves 2'88 and283a have anti-friction bearings 28?. Lever 236 includes a bent leverarm 290 pivotally connected to rod 284 by pivot pin 291 and terminatingat its lower end in handle 292. The upper end of lever arm 29% ispivotally connected to link 294 by pin 295. Link 294 is held in fixedposition except during installation of a new stopper rod, as will behereinafter described. Thus pin 295 serves as a fulcrum for lever arm290. Link 294 is secured at its opposite end by pin 2% to a pair ofparallel plates 297 which are on either side of link 293. Parallelplates 297 are welded to supporting structure 236. A pair of short bars298 and 299 are welded to plates 297. These bars support set screws 300and 39 1 respectively, which bear against opposite sides of link 294.Set screws 300 and 351 are used to position link 294 and with it theentire stopper rod rigging when a new stopper rod is installed. In thismanner stopper rod is caused to seat precisely on nozzle 222 when manualoperating mechanism 234 is in the closed position shown in FIG. 7. Oncethe stopper rod has been positioned, set screws 309 and 301 hold link294 in a fixed position. Thus pivot pin 295 acts as a fulcrum aboutwhich lever arm 290 pivots. A limit stop 302 on link 294, against whichrod 284 abuts when stopper rod 224 is locked in shut position, limitscounterclockwise movement of rod 284 and lever arm 290. To insurelocking of locking mechanism 234, limit stop 302 is positioned so thatthe center axis of rod 284 is slightly to the right of pivot pin 295when the locking mechanism 234 is in its locked position.

Operation of a ladle according to this invention will now be describedwith particular reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. A new stopper rod is securedto cross bar 26 while the cross bar is in the raised position. This isgenerally done before each heat of molten metal introduced into t .eladle. The stopper .rod 24 is then lowered by auxiliary hydraulic system.32 until the stopper rod touches nozzle 22. The stopper rod is thenpositioned laterally by rotation of eccentric bushings 46 and 48 untilit is precisely over nozzle 22. Turnbuckle 172 is then backed off untilhandle 174 can be brought against limit stop 189 with little or noforce. Turnbuckle 172 is then tightened until stopper rod 24 seatsfirmly on nozzle 22. The ladle is now ready for use. After the moltenmetal has been introduced, the ladle 20 is transported to the placewhere the molten metal is to be poured, i.e., in position over a tundishor mold. Electrical connections are then made between motor 86 andvalves 108 and 123, which are on the ladle, and the appropriate controlpanels 88 and 145, which are located at convenient fixed locations awayfrom the ladle. Handle 174 is then lifted. This unlocks the stopper rod24 and places it under control of hydraulic cylinder 28. Motor 86 isstarted up from control panel 88, and movements of the stopper rod arecontrolled from control panel 145. After pouring of molten metal hasbeen initiated, switch 145b can be moved to automatic position ifdesired, in which case the movements of stopper rod 24 are thereaftercontrolled automatically in response to the level of molten metal in themold.

Operation of the ladle of FIGS. 7 to 10 is generally similar tooperation of the ladle of FIGS. 1 to 6. After stopper rod 224 has beensecured to cross bar 226, handle 292 is lowered to lower the stopper rodagainst nozzle 222. The height of the stopper rod is adjusted so that itseats firmly against the nozzle 222 by adjustment of set screws 300 and301. This raises or lowers link 294 and with it the entire stopper rodassembly. The ladle 220 is then ready for use. Handle 292 is down asshown in FIG. 7, so as to lock stopper rod 224 in closed positionagainst nozzle 222, while molten metal is being introduced into theladle and while the ladle is being transported to the point of use. Whenthe ladle is in position over a tundish or mold, handle 292 is raisedand the stopper rod is thereafter under control of hydraulic cylinder228. Further operations are as in the ladle of FIGS. 1 to 6.

The entire structure according to either embodiment of this invention,with the exception of control panels 88 and 145 and the wires leadingfrom these panels to the members which they control, are mounted on theladle. This does away with the long flexible hose lines of previouslyknown hydraulic systems, which result in spongy operation. However, thehydraulic systems may be :mounted externally if it is desirable, inspecial situations, to do so. Furthermore, the stopper rod riggingaccording to this invention is rugged and rigid, so that the stopper rodseats precisely on the nozzle and does not become misaligned due todeflection of the rigging under load or play within the rigging.

While I have illustrated this invention with respect to specificembodiments thereof, it is to be understood that these are merely by wayof illustration and that variations can be made by those skilled in theart.

What is claimed is: 1. Apparatus for precision pouring of molten steelinto a continuous casting mold, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a bottom pour ladle having a bottom discharge opening,

(b) a stopper rod rigging including a stopper rod for controlling thedischarge of molten steel through said opening and a cross barconnected to said stopper rod,

(0) a framework rigidly mounted on the side of the ladle,

(d) guide means comprising a plurality of guide members each secureddirectly to both said cross bar and said framework for guiding thevertical movements of said stopper rod rigging while preventinghorizontal movement thereof, and

(e) an actuation system for said stopper rod rigging including ahydraulic motor directly connected to said framework and said cross barand a hydraulic pump and control system mounted on said framework forcontrolling the movements of said hydraulic motor.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said framework includes ahorizontal platform at substantially the upper end thereof and extendingover a portion of the ladle, said hydraulic motor and at least one ofsaid coacting guide members being supported on said platform.

3. Apparatus according to claiml 1 in which said framework includes agenerally vertically extending portion adjacent to the exterior of saidladle, said hydraulic pump and control system being mounted on saidvertically extending portion of said framework.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said hydraulic motor is ahydraulic cylinder fixedly mounted on said platform and having anexteriorly extending piston rod connected to said cross bar.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said actuation systemincludes a pump for hydraulic fluid and a valve for selectivelysupplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to one end of said hydrauliccylinder to thereby control the movements of said stopper rod rigging.

6. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which said vertically extendingportion of said framework terminates at its lower end in a horizontalplatform, said actuation system including a hydraulic reservoirsupported on said platform.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, including means 0 for manuallylocking said stopper rod rigging in the shut position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,716,829 6/1929Musheiyko 2285 2,832,110 4/1958 Carleton 2285 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,349,06212/1963 France.

1,139,241 11/1962 Germany.

132,781 1/1961 Russia.

I. SPENCER OV ERHOLSER, Primary Examiner.

R. D. BALDWIN, Assistant Examiner,

1. APPARATUS FOR PRECISION POURING OF MOLTEN STEEL INTO A CONTINUOUSCASTING MOLD, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING: (A) A BOTTOM POUR LADLE HAVINGA BOTTOM DISCHARGE OPENING, (B) A STOPPER ROD RIGGING INCLUDING ASTOPPER ROD FOR CONTROLLING TH EDISCHARGE OF MOLTEN STEEL THROUGH SAIDOPENING AND A CROSS BAR CONNECTED TO SAID STOPPER ROD, (C) A FRAMEWORKRIGIDLY MOUNTED ON THE SIDE OF THE LADLE, (D) GUIDE MEANS COMPRISING APLURALITY OF GUIDE MEMBERS EACH SECURED DIRECTLY TO BOTH SAID CROSS BARAND SAID FRAMEWORK FOR GUIDING THE VERTICAL MOVEMENTS OF SAID STOPPERROD RIGGING WHILE PREVENTING HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT THEREOF, AND (E) ANACTUATION SYSTEM FOR SAID STOPPER ROD RIGGING INCLUDING A HYDRAULICMOTOR DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO SAID FRAMEWORK AND SAID CROSS BAR AND AHYDRAULIC PUMP AND CONTROL SYSTEM MOUNTED ON SAID FRAMEWORK FORCONTROLLING THE MOVEMENTS OF SAID HYDRAULIC MOTOR.